Bloomington, IN patient rediscovers art through vision therapy, illustrates through memory
There’s always a story behind a good piece of art, and this one reminded us that hope never dies, and a mother’s love to search for answers for her child is one of the most powerful forces on the planet.
At first glance, this piece of art might seem like just a picture of two young women hanging out. But it’s about something more: remembering.
With an inner light that shines as soon as she enters the room, 17-year-old Ryleigh Slone recently visited our See Learn Succeed affiliate in Greenwood, Indiana, VisionQuest Eyecare, for an interview. She came with her parents, Rebecca and Bob, after driving nearly an hour north to share their story.
Ryleigh is a talented young artist who moved from South Carolina to Bloomington, Indiana, when her father’s job brought the family north. She’s always had a passion for drawing. From a young age, she found solace in sketching the world around her, especially her favorite subject: cats.
But her journey wasn’t without challenges.
At age 10, Ryleigh began experiencing vision issues that made it difficult to concentrate or remember what she had seen, making it nearly impossible to draw from memory. As the condition worsened, everyday tasks and school became harder to navigate.
Her parents quickly noticed their daughter’s struggles. They sought answers and visited an ophthalmologist, but the solutions offered were dismissive and inadequate. The headaches and focus issues persisted.
I wasn’t able to do what I loved at the same capacity due to the strain that was put on my eyes.– Ryleigh Slone
As Ryleigh approached her senior year, the mounting stress of school intensified her symptoms. That’s when a primary care physician recommended vision therapy. The referral brought them to Dr. Chris Browning’s team at VisionQuest Eyecare. Dr. Rae Winters, a developmental and behavioral optometrist, and Jessalyn, a vision therapist helped implement a personalized treatment plan.
With five separate diagnoses and a comprehensive therapy program, Ryleigh began attending vision therapy sessions, and before long, she began to experience significant improvements. Now, with just a few sessions left, one of the most remarkable transformations has been her renewed ability to draw from memory, a skill she had lost for years.
One of those drawings? A heartfelt sketch, drawn entirely from memory, of her vision therapy room and therapist Jessalyn Friend.
Vision therapy didn’t just restore Ryleigh’s artistic abilities, it gave her back her quality of life. Her headaches subsided. Her concentration improved. She began engaging more fully in schoolwork and hobbies. The therapy, rooted in exercises that challenge both the eyes and the brain, helped foster neuroplasticity and real, measurable recovery.
Ryleigh’s story is a powerful testament to a mother’s love and the life-changing impact of specialized care. Her parents, Rebecca and Bob, were unwavering in their advocacy, ensuring Ryleigh got the answers she needed. Their support gave her the foundation to heal, and the confidence to reclaim her creative voice.
Now preparing to graduate and pursue a career in art education, Ryleigh’s journey serves as a shining example for others facing similar struggles. Her story highlights the importance of looking beyond surface-level symptoms, trusting your instincts, and seeking comprehensive care when your child needs help.
Through determination, support, and the healing power of vision therapy, Ryleigh didn’t just regain her ability to draw from memory. She found her future.
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“I want the world to know that my one wish is to make a difference in a persons life. The impacts people have on us shape who we are as individuals.”
– Ryleigh Slone
My parents taught me everything that I know about being a good person and a strong friend that cares so deeply about everyone and everything I come into contact with. They showed me how to be who I am.
They supported me no matter what I wanted to do, whether it be a singer, a teacher, or an artist. My teachers, of course, taught me the things I need to know to make my way into the world with a clear sight and a strong sense of what I want to do.
My high school art teachers have made some of the greatest impacts on my passion for the arts. They support every idea I have and help me to create what I only would have been able to imagine.
I’ve had set backs, such as my experience with my convergence insufficiency and chronic headaches. I wasn’t able to do what I loved at the same capacity due to the strain that was put on my eyes. However, with vision therapy, with Jessalyn, and my parents working with me I am able to perform to the best of my ability.
I want to make an impact in someone’s life that models that of any of these people. I want to help someone find what they want to do in life, I want to teach someone that illness doesn’t define you, I want to support someone no matter what they want to do.
I want to make a change in at least one persons life while I am able.”